Need some help.... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/03/2003 10:28:59 AM · #1

With this photo Sisters I love this shot and want to hang it on my wall, but if you notice on my oldest daughters mouth there is some shadowing. It looks to dark and makes her mouth looks funny. It is her hair that was in the way that is making it look that way.

Do you have any suggestions on how I can get that to look better?
Thanks
Sonja

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/03/2003 11:10:46 AM · #2

I haven't looked at it closely, but it seems as though you should be able to clone-out the unwanted elements.

Create a new layer, sample from the background, and "paint" with the clone tool on the new layer...you can toggle it on/off to see how it looks, and you leave the original intact (maybe work on a copy of the file...). When you're all done, flatten the image and save-as in printable format.

If it is truly a shadow, you might try the Dodge tool...set the opacity light so the effect is gradual...

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/03/2003 06:18:16 PM · #3

ok, this sisters 2 is what I came up with after cloning it and lightening it up a bit. What do you think?

Alecia

Canon EOS-10D

04/03/2003 06:27:45 PM · #4

hmmm, i think i like the contrasts of the first one better. did you try selecting just the area around the mouth and adjusting the levels only on that? i find that works well with my people shots.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/03/2003 08:06:45 PM · #5

I took a closer look...I also like the color/contrast of the first version -- I don't think it needs any lightening. I would completely clone out all the hair around her mouth. Zoom in real close and make many small changes...I'll try and work on an example when I get home from work tonight.

If you want to do any significant retouching like this I cannot recomment highly enough getting a tablet/pen combo -- even the cheapest one from Wacom (around $99) will seem like magic!

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/03/2003 08:35:00 PM · #6

Sonja, i must agree with theother posts, the higher contrast in the original is better, and all that is really needed is a bit of retouching near the mouth.
This is a wonderful photo, you have real talent for portraits!

04/04/2003 11:49:55 AM · #7

Thanks all. I am going to go back and see if I can't fix it again. grrr...I love this picture to. I hope I can figure something out. I am new at psp so it will take me a few times to figure it out. Thanks again. And if you have anymore suggestions please feel free to mention them.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/04/2003 11:52:46 AM · #8

See the other thread 'dodging and burning techniques' some of the ideas in there should help you out.

I'd second the comment about trying to get a tablet, even a small one - you suddenly can use brushes that are pressure sensitive and work with a pen, rather than a mouse - great for this sort of work, though they cost about $99 for a small one. I'd recommend getting one by Wacom and not bothering with any other manufacturer if you are looking for one.

This was done really quickly, using the 50% grey overlay method, then painting onto the overlay to selectively lighten and darken areas - I spent about 30 seconds doing this so with care it would be a whole lot better. I used Photoshop 5.0 Limited Edition - a freebie version to do this. As an aside, this is the sort of further editing I'd love to see allowed by the rules - not cloning or adding new things to the pictures, just finishing them properly. Lovely shot by the way - certainly worth taking the time to finish.

Message edited by author 2003-04-04 12:05:19.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/04/2003 12:16:50 PM · #9

Thanks Gordon, It does look better. I was just looking at the tablet/pen combo. Can I only use it with coral or adobe software? Or can I use it with psp?

Thanks for your help. I need to really practice with the cloning and dodging stuff. I did try the dodging but can't seem to get the setting just right. It always gets to dark or to light. I will have to practice that today.
Sonja

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/04/2003 12:21:11 PM · #10

Originally posted by Sonifo:

Thanks Gordon, It does look better. I was just looking at the tablet/pen combo. Can I only use it with coral or adobe software? Or can I use it with psp?

It acts as another mouse in the system, so you can use it with pretty much anything. PaintShopPro supports any WinTAB complaint tablet, so it would be worth checking that any you were looking at support that standard - I assume Wacom does but you should check.

Originally posted by Sonifo:

Thanks for your help. I need to really practice with the cloning and dodging stuff. I did try the dodging but can't seem to get the setting just right. It always gets to dark or to light. I will have to practice that today.
Sonja

The 50% grey layer editing helps with this

Patella

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

04/04/2003 12:27:39 PM · #11

I'll jump on the tablet bandwagon -- VERY VERY nice thing to have when doing touch-up work.

I'd also like to recommend spending a little more money (as always with the caveat: if you can afford it) on any of the Intuos2 products -- the pen (IMHO) is a far superior design -- easier on the hand to hold for extended periods of time.

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

04/04/2003 12:40:02 PM · #12

Sonja, I love your photo! Really close up work is not difficult, but it does take a a deft hand. I'll have to look into getting a tablet thingy. though it's useless for DPC!

04/04/2003 01:24:03 PM · #13

Thanks David and Patella.

I think I will give the tablet and pen a try.
Thanks